bolt67

And Schoeman's running is getting better and better now that his injuries are over and he is training full time with Gomez. It has to rub off on him. If Richard can improve his swim he has a chance but the reality is that that you need to be great not just good at all three disciplines to beat Gomez and the Brownlees, Nobody outside these three won a race last year.

http://www.roadtorio.co.za/2014/04/15/schoeman-sanders-celebrate-african-champs-success/

By Mark Etheridge Henri Schoeman and Gillian Sanders have successfully defended their African Championships triathlon titles in Troutbeck, Zimbabwe…now it’s on to the World Triathlon Series showdown in Cape Town next weekend. Schoeman covered the testing combination of a 1500-metre swim, 40-kilometre bike ride and 10km run in 2hr 00min 15sec for a clearcut win over London Olympian Richard Murray (2:01:49) and former world junior champion Wian Sullwald (2:02:26). And Sanders, also part of Team South Africa at the London Olympics, notched her third consecutive African Championships title to go with the titles she won in 2012 and 2013. Schoeman told Road to Rio 2016 on his return to South Africa: “I really like the course at Troutbeck, it’s really challenging and it brings out the strongest athlete. It’s a hilly and technical bike and run ale also at an altitude of 2100m. The Durban-based athlete missed South African championships due to an ankle injury but was able to race the first WTS race of the year in Auckland, New Zealand two weeks ago. “I used my swim to my advantage and had a good gap over Wian and the rest of the field and just anted to maintain my lead on the bike and go into the run without using too much effort. The bike was tough and I didn’t have the strength I usually have… probably still feeling the effects of Auckland and then travelling from NZ to SAS and then on to Zimbabwe during the week.” Going into the run leg and Schoeman had some worries in the back of his mind. “I had some issues with energy intake in Auckland, so corrected that and felt much better throughout the run this time. I kept a comfortable gap between Richard and myself, knowing he has a very fast set of running legs. But I knew I had it on the last lap to I took its bit easier to save some strength for next weekend’s WTS.” It’s also Schoeman’s third victory in Troutbeck. “The win means a lot to me after struggling with injuries over the last three months and with inconsistent training. Winning a big race like this is a great confidence booster going into Cape Town. Triathlon Zimbabwe were superb in their organisation of the race. I felt really at ease and only had my race to think about.” For Murray’s part he believes that competing at high altitude was his Achilles Heel on the day. “It was a case of survival due to lack of oxygen at 2100m elevation. My body was not happy after the first 400m and I struggled to get into any fast pace of swimming. I opted to go slow and to go into autopilot mode, which was not very fast and seeing me more than a minute back off leader out the water. “I felt good on the run, but being two minutes behind the leader at the start of the run on this kind of circuit, was too much to ask. Second place was a far sight off after the swim so I am pleased that I decided to keep going and see what I can do after such a dismal performance in the swim.” As for Sanders it was the first time she had raced in Zimbabwe. “I’d heard how hard the course was, and made more so by the altitude,” she shared with Road to Rio 2016. I definitely felt the altitude in the swim and exited in third, a second behind Anel Radford and about 30sec behind Mari Rabie and Lauren Dance was just a second behind me. “I’d discussed race tactics with my coach and with the Cape Town World series race so close we agreed we would use the race as a very good strength training session – obviously trying to retain the African title but also not using too much energy. I was in a very fortunate position after the swim as Lauren and I didn’t panic and worked really well together reeling Mari in lap after lap. “We caught her at the beginning of the last bike lap and then it was down to the run. “Again, I tried to keep as much in reserve as possible and was happy to find myself in front for the whole run and claim my third consecutive African title. A big congrats to Lauren for a superb race to finish second.” Sanders will now be hoping to maintain the status quo in terms of results. “After three podiums in three races I’m hoping that I can retain this form into Cape Town and make the home crowds very proud!”

http://www.treadmtb.co.za/saids-absa-cape-statement-brandon-stewart-appeal-dismissed/

The Gomez-Schoeman Alliance > A Big Change For 2014? January 13, 2014 No Comments 136 Views Tactics Alexandre Saint-Jalm The Brownlee domination is very often attributed to their physical ability. In reality, they undoubtedly have superior psychological skill in races. They have learned to lead the race from the gun and they brought inovation to the sport with their tactics and their vision of what the sport should look like. In recent years, the Brownlees improved from good first pack swimmers to leaders amd we usually see them set the pace in order to challenge other opponents. Results, we have rarely seen athletes like Mario Mola or Richard Murray racing to their potential. The reason The team Brownlees had the intelligence to invite Varga train with them. The two brothers were able to learn from that experience as Varga was considered to be the the best swimmer on the circuit. Varga needed to improve his cycling and running and it was something that the Brownlees could help him with and he would help them with their swimming. This collaboration was extended during races, since the Slovak ended up playing the role of domestique for the two brothers. Some speak of a fair return as Varga benefits from the Triathlon GB resources. Since all national technical directors have understood this scheme, we had to react but the task is very complicated since it is very difficult to use this dynamic where two athletes from the same country use a domestic strategy because the result might affect their own funding (grants , sponsors, etc. ..) . Gomez understood. He decided to go train with South African up and comer Henri Schoeman. He made a big splash on the WTS circuit 2013. Member of the famous club 8 (guaranteed ticket to get into the group head T2) , he is one of the best swimmers out there and his perfomance in Kitzbuhel proved he was also an amazing cyclist and possibly even stronger than the Spanish world champion. If this alliance is real, what does Schoeman win? Javier Gomez is very secret , we know practically nothing of his coach and his training mates are virtually nonexistent . Schoeman would have the chance to train and learn from the master while Gomez will have the opportunity to have a reference and a training partner for the first two legs of the race. Presumably, Gomez has always been recognized as an excellent swimmer (he actually swims sub 16:00 for 1500m) and he knows that the future trend is to keep improving the level of swimming seen on the WTS circuit. He just wants to keep being a front pack swimmer. One can also think that with Schoeman on his side , the Spanish will feel much less isolated. Without saying that Schoeman will become his servant, one might think that their interests are common and they will feel less alone before they all face the trio Brownlee and Varga . And the rest? Good question, in a way, one can wonder whether this alliance is not a prelude to a revolution in WTS or athletes will have agreements to help each other not only for training but also during races. Somehow, because of the competition between athletes from the same nation, it is a system that is very difficult to implement. We’ll keep following this subject and we’ll take it into consideration while we analyse the races

Gomez has asked 9 and (apparently paid for ) Henri to train with him up until Rio, he has just spent 3 weeks in Spain with Gomez doing heavy base and strength training. He will be basing himself in Europe with Gomez and his coach this year. I think he sees Henri as his way of ensuring that he has an ally on the bike against the Brownlees and Varga and to keep the gap on strong runners like Murray. Watch this space ! See link : http://www.in-vitu.com/2014/01/13/the-gomez-schoeman-alliance-a-big-change-for-2014/

Stay wide on a 29er ! Had the specialized alu 680 on my Epic. Now running Ritchey 2X Trail Bar at 710 mm - need to be a bit careful through the tree lined singletrack. 29er shorter stem and wide bars = better control !

My Specialized Epic's Expert clear coat has started to do exactly the same, 2012 model. Peeling off where it was nicked by stones etc... Apparently frames paintwork is only warrantied for 1 year !

Saw a post on twitter that they are riding Specialized ! Trek is now with Fedgroup.

+1 - happened to me at start of Sani2C day 2 - lucky did not happen on the descent into the Umko valley - use XT now - had to run back to mechanics, get new pedals (XT this time) and then phone partner to tell him to wait up for me. Used XT ever since.

RR Snakeskin sidewalls are not the problem, its bit between the treads,do not like shale and gravel, cuts up really easily, especially on the rear tyre if you are sitting and climbing. Ditched mine for Maxxis Ikon, light but much stronger !

Hear Hear ,how do you run out of water on Day 2 when all you had to do was ride +- 23km to to the top of spioenkop. FYI it took some guys over 6 hours to to do 40km of which 15km was straight down hill - maybe its time to have quailfying criteria to enter multi day races (just like two oceans and comrades) - I think a lot people were way undertrained !

Noticed that 38 said I should use only a truvativ 24b-v1 but then it says you should only use a sram chain and previous chain was a kmc

Thanks

Need to replace entire drivetrain on x0 38 24 2x10 - have everything except 24 truvativ chainring , can I use a new shimano xt 24 that I have lying around. In other words this would mean a truvativ 38, shimano 24 chainrings with sram 1090 chain and 1070 casette. Is it worth it to purchase a new 24 truvativ chainring for compatibility ?

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4060/4477492917_65338a2b7b_b.jpg

this is true if u use Sram grips that twistgrip come with however most guys cut down ESI Chunky silicone grips to make a shorter grip, diameter of chunkys matches gripshift. The standard grips are long and pretty hard so not the most comfortable.

Dusi2c

Best spot is Holla Trails at Ballito (awesome trails) R55 for the day or join guys from Remo's at Mt Edgecombe every Sat and Sun morning - need an EMBA permit - temps available from Bike shops

+1

The price you pay is not always the price you see !! Its about building a relationship with your LBS and supporting them ! I always get good service and a discount from leigh and jason,that way i keep coming back. They are about the only bike shop in KZN that actually manages their stock. Other shops could learn a thing or two from them, hate them telling me that they have to order it in, might as well buy online myself then.

And watch out for Henri Schoeman as well , 6 th in his second itu series event in Yokohama one ace behind Murray . Just won African champs in Morocco. Will always be up as is probably the fastest triathlon swimmer in the series. Now ranked 20 th in the world in his first year on tour

Good 2 GO !

Can anybody comment on what rear shock they are using on the Spark ? Looks like they have swopped out the DT Swiss for a rockshox or Fox ! Don't see any cables or 3 way remote lockout on handlebars as per standard RC spec !

If you can take it out your pockets on the ride then you can put the wrapper back in and dispose of it later ! Roadies are ....................... !!!!!! Fill in the blanks At Sani2C you are DQed if anyone sees you litter !!!!